Campaign to protect children from sexual exploitation

A national conversation is needed to break the taboo which enables the sexual exploitation of children to go undetected, local government leaders have said.

The Local Government Association, which represents more than 350 councils in England, is today launching a campaign to better protect children from sexual abuse through raising awareness of the issue.

Over the next eight weeks charities, councillors, officers, social workers, partner organisations and groups representing young people and victims will be encouraged to feed into a national conversation on how to tackle and prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

Local government leaders believe the key to tackling this form of abuse lies in raising awareness of the problem, how to spot it and how to respond, not just among childcare professionals but among the wider public.

The LGA will be leading the drive within local government to help every council employee, from directors and children's service professionals to park wardens and maintenance officers, to play their part along with every ward councillor.

Councillor David Simmonds, Chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said: "This is not an easy subject for people to talk about. It is highly sensitive, distressing and understandably can be an uncomfortable issue to raise. But this must change. By breaking the taboo we will also break down the veil of secrecy which plays into the hands of the perpetrators of child abuse.

"Charities and councils have done a huge amount of work to improve the way we protect children within the sector. However, we as a country need to continually improve and find new and better ways to protect our children from falling victims to abuse.

"This means reaching out beyond the system. We need to raise awareness not only among professionals but the wider public too; children and young people themselves, parents and carers, the neighbour who sees something.

"Councils have a unique place in our communities which means we are well-placed to make an impact. It is not only staff working in children's services who have a part to play. Every one of the 1.7 million people working within the local government sector can be the eyes and ears of our work to protect children. We have 18,000 councillors in England who can use their close links with schools, residents and community groups to put raising awareness on the agenda for people who may have previously never thought it would be an issue in their area.

"The LGA wants to support councils to develop this role, but we don't have all the answers. That's why today we are launching an eight week national discussion to gather views, ideas and existing practice, drawing on the wide range of experience that is out there."

The LGA's national consultation is seeking ideas on how to improve the three Rs which councils believe are key to protecting children from sexual exploitation. These are:

• Realise – helping people realise that it could happen in their area, increase their understanding of the issues, and bust the myths.
• Recognise – helping and encouraging people to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation.
• React – making people aware of what action to take if they do spot the signs. Also what other things people or organisations can do to address the problem.

For further information on efforts to safeguard our children click here.